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CST’s Antisemitic Incident Report for January to June 2015, published today, shows a 53% increase in antisemitic incidents compared to the same period last year.

CST recorded 473 antisemitic incidents during the first six months of 2015, compared to 309 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2014. The 2014 figure was itself an increase of 38 per cent from the 223 antisemitic incidents recorded during the first six months of 2013.

CST has recorded antisemitic incidents since 1984. The highest total CST has ever recorded for the January to June period was 629 incidents in the first half of 2009. In addition to the 473 antisemitic incidents recorded during the first six months of 2015, a further 333 reports were received by CST, but were not deemed to be antisemitic and are not included in this total.

2014 saw the highest ever total recorded by CST for a full calendar year, when 1,174 antisemitic incidents were recorded.

During the first half of 2015, there were:

44 violent antisemitic assaults, two of which were classified as ‘Extreme Violence’, meaning that they involved grievous bodily harm (GBH) or a threat to life

Detailed analysis of the timing, content and sources of every one of these recorded antisemitic incidents suggests that, while they may partly reflect a real rise in incident levels, the primary explanation for the rise is most likely to be a greater willingness by people to report antisemitism, either to CST or Police.

The increase mainly occurred in January, February and March, with those months twice as bad as in 2014. That was when British Jews felt especially concerned by antisemitism, seeing awful terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen; and experiencing sustained local, national and global media coverage of the subject of antisemitism. January saw 106 antisemitic incidents reported to CST, the sixth-highest monthly total since CST began recording antisemitic incidents.

The increase in antisemitic incidents recorded during this period did not show the usual features of previous ‘trigger events’. The total did not rise sharply after the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, nor did a significant number of the incidents make reference to those attacks. Instead, there was a gradual increase in the number of reported incidents of all kinds during that period, and then a gradual decline back to normal levels during April, May and June.

CST did its utmost to remain sober and focussed throughout this, seeking no publicity for ourselves, or our community, believing it would only bring further unhelpful pressure and hype. Instead, we worked with government to organise unprecedented security guarding across our community. This is now being delivered in partnership with literally hundreds of communal organisations and buildings throughout Britain.

At this time, our community also stepped forward. Hundreds of new recruits joined CST’s security teams, and our front line security budget significantly increased thanks to the commitment of donors, old and new.

We welcome the apparent increase in reporting of antisemitic incidents but regret the concern and anxiety about antisemitism that this reflects. CST, our communal partners, Police and government need to know the facts, so that we can best support our community now and in an uncertain future.

CST recorded 88 antisemitic incidents that took place on social media during the first half of 2015

CST’s security volunteers are crucial for CST’s work keeping the Jewish community in the United Kingdom safe in these challenging times. With an increase in antisemitic attacks across Europe, including the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen at the beginning of this year, CST has been inundated with applications to join our growing pool of security volunteers. Read more…

The Prime Minister gave an important speech yesterday to set out the framework, and much of the detail, of the government’s counter-extremism strategy for the next five years. It was a landmark statement in Britain’s efforts to challenge and reduce the appeal of Islamist extremism. Read more…

The appearance of Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn MP at a hustings for the Jewish community later this month is likely to focus more attention on his reported remarks praising Hamas and Hezbollah. Corbyn will be speaking alongside the other three leadership candidates and, with the hustings chaired by Jonathan Freedland, he can expect some difficult questions. Read more…

20-25 neo-Nazis (including five Poles) turned up in Whitehall and were loudly jeered by 150-200 anti-fascists of various political and religious affiliations, including Jews and Christians.
220 CST volunteers and staff helped secure our Golders Green Jewish community from the evening of Friday 3 July (ie erev Shabbat) through to Sunday 5 July. They were sincerely thanked by many members of our community, and CST has received many phone calls and emails of gratitude. Read more…

Future Updates

“The CST is an incredible organisation, which every day is out there protecting Jewish communities and their institutions across Britain...I along with my party, will continue to give our wholehearted support to CST.”